December 19th, 2010

TransOhio Launches Statewide Needs Assessment for the Ohio Transgender Community

Time:

06:49 pm

TransOhio has launched a first of its kind needs assessment for the Ohio Transgender community. The needs assessment will serve as a snapshot of the Ohio Transgender community, including those individuals who were born in Ohio, but now reside elsewhere.

"It's difficult to provide accurate information to agencies about the Transgender community in Ohio. There's never been a study that has specifically focused on the needs – the climate of Ohio, medical, legal and community needs of Transgender people in the state. Additionally, we have a large group of stealth Transgender individuals who don't publically identify themselvesas being such, or for that matter, seek out services specific to their identity," says Shane Morgan, Founder and Chair of TransOhio. "There are also no statewide protections for employment, public accommodations, housing and credit for Ohioans who are Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian or Gay. That means a Transgender individual can be denied employment, fired or denied housing just because of their gender identity or their sexual orientation. The risks often outweigh the pros for many, and for some people, remaining in the shadows is the only way to survive."

"In order for TransOhio to serve the needs of the transgender community, as well as those who love and support them, we need to ask what is most important to them. There has never beenan assessment of this kind for the transgender community in Ohio and it will help us to reach out and work harder to serve them in all areas of their lives from health care and employmentto relationships and support. This assessment couldn't come at a better time than now when the LGB and T along with allied communities are coming together to support one another and Iam proud to be in the mix," says Jacob Nash, member of the TransOhio Board of Directors.

TransOhio colleague and ally, Erin Upchurch, who collaborated with TransOhio on the assessment, says "this needs assessment will serve as a powerful tool to give voice to andincrease visibility for a seemingly invisible community; it's about representation. TransOhio has made a commitment to the Partner and Ally community as well, and their inclusion of assessments for those individuals also shows TransOhio's dedication to those who love and support Trans identified people."

The TransOhio Statewide Transgender Needs Assessments will be available online and in print through February 28, 2011 with the option of extending the data collection timeline asnecessary. A Spanish version of the Trans Needs Assessment is available and can be received electronically by sending an email to: TransOhio@transohio.org .